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FlashBack Friday: Cheesy Reggae Party

Hey guys and gals, I'm back with the fifth episode of the popular series FlashBack Friday (click for previous episodes) for the year like 2011. I love doing these posts as I get to relive a time when life was all about not doing homework, watching cartoons, asking mum and dad for toys and what I would be when I grew up.

These are songs you'll probably be surprised I, a staunch reggae addict, listens to in my spare time. As mentioned many times previously, I don't care how many stripes you wanna take from me, I have enough stripes to donate to a Zebra in need. I love cheesy pop music. They used very soft electro sounds in the '80s and '90s which gave the instant impression of inoffensive cheesy pop, but when you listen behind the actual sounds they use, the chord progressions and arrangements are cool. Lyrics were light-hearted, but so what?

p.s. I'm going through a phase of listening to '80s and '90s pop. For more reasons than one

Let's begin the Cheesy Reggae Party (as opposed to the "Punky Reggae Party" Bob Marley sang of)

T-Spoon - Sex On The Beach

"T-Spoon (or T Spoon) is a Dutch pop/dance band, created in 1991 by rapper and former U.S. Airforce member Shalamon Baskin (aka Shamrock) and composer Remy de Groot (aka Prince Peration). In 1994, they were offered a recording contract by A La Bianca and had several hits, working alongside guest musicians.."

What happened to the deejay? Who'd have thought it's the white guy? lol. Charted at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1997. Don't know this isn't classed as reggae on Wikipedia.



Vengaboys - Ibiza

Just clocked this is a product of the popular reggae fusion element Europe had going on in the mid-90s. Ih-bitza



Peter Andre - Mysterious Girl

I think I've posted this before. I don't care though. This is Peter Andre's best song ever. Please let him go back to reggae. What a groove. I would love to hear this played with authentic instruments. In fact, I'm convinced this would do well in Jamaica if they took Bubbla Ranx off.

This song has been released 3 times. Failed the first, charted #2 in 1996, then #1 in 2004 following his appearance on reality TV show I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.



Inner Circle - Sweat (A la la la long)

Miami-based reggae band Inner Circle produced a summer anthem in 1992. Peaked at #3 in UK. #1 in New Zealand, Switzerland (6 weeks), Germany (12 weeks) and Holland.



Classic example of a cheesy pop song that sounds really light but with sounds authentic with actual instruments. The riddim track is John Holt's "A Love I Can Feel". Youngsters that frequent London club's may (or most probably won't) recognise it as Sanchez "I Can't Wait"

RIP original Inner Circle singer Jacob Miller. Not the guy in the video, the original lead. Top Jamaican singer from dem day deh.

Ace of Base - The Sign

What a groove on this. Listen to chord progressions on this again. I know for a fact I've posted this before. Love this song.



Big Mountain - Baby I Love You Way

"Big Mountain is an American reggae band, most famous for their cover version of Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way," which became a Top 10 hit single in the U.S. in early 1994 reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #2 in the UK shortly afterwards."

Couldn't be bothered to type anything there.



And just for good measure I'm throwing in

Men At Work - Down Under

Not quite as explicit as the above but there's usage of reggae in this. New Wave.



I think

Madness - Must Be Love

Is another one they class as New Wave. Basically post-punk

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